While being interviewed, I recalled two powerful incidents from many years ago when I sang at monthly Immigration Naturalization Citizenship ceremonies in Maryland. After the thousand or more citizenship applicants in the room took their Oath of Allegiance, the grand finale featured me singing my song, "Celebrate America". It felt good knowing mine was the first song they heard as new American citizens.
On one occasion from my seat on stage, I saw an elderly gentlemen in a wheelchair who looked to be around 100 years old. When it came time for him to take his Oath of Allegiance, a great grandchild on both sides of him raised him to his feet. One grandchild held the gentleman's right hand into the air as he tearfully recited his oath. The elderly gentleman's entire family, standing behind him, were crying.